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Gossip: Ramos to stay, new Stones offer

It may come as little surprise to Manchester United fans to hear Sergio Ramos is poised to put pen to paper on a new contract at Real Madrid.

That is according to the front page of Marca, which reports the defender is ‘very close’ to committing his future to Los Blancos as he prepares for crunch talks with president Florentino Perez.

United had wanted Ramos to publicly declare his desire to leave the Bernabeu this summer, but instead the 29-year-old is expected to complete a U-turn by agreeing to extend his contract when he meets with Perez.

Perhaps Sunday’s reports spooked Chelsea somewhat because Monday’s newspapers are almost united in reporting the Premier League champions are set to make an improved offer of £26million for Stones.

The young England centre-half is also admired by Arsenal and Manchester City, according to speculation over the weekend, but Chelsea are hoping they will get in there ahead of their rivals despite upsetting Everton over their public declaration of interest.

The Toffees are expected to hold out for in excess of £30million for the 21-year-old, but the player himself is ‘understood to be keen on a transfer to the Premier League champions,’ according to The Guardian.

AND THE REST

– Hull defender James Chester, 26, is wanted by Crystal Palace, Leicester, Southampton, Newcastle, West Brom and Aston Villa with the Tigers hoping to raise £8m from his sale (The Sun)

– Southampton flop Emmanuel Mayuka is set to join Spartak Moscow after being stripped of squad number (Daily Mirror)